Feeder stream mixer

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for dispersing, dissolving and/or mixing viscous materials which uses no power driven or moving parts. The device comprises an in-line chamber having an entry and exit end. There is an axially disposed baffled viscous material nozzle near the input and whereby the viscous material entering the chamber from said nozzle is sheared by solvent flow through the chamber. Baffle plates arrayed across the exit end result in turbulent flow and further mixing before the materials leave through the exit end. As the viscous material is pumped against an adjustable dished heat it emerges as a thin sheet which is sheared by the flow of solvents which flows through the sheet. Mixing is aided by turbulent flow in the device plus perforated baffle plates in the flow path through the device.

United States Patent Hargash [4 July 18, 1972 [54] FEEDER STREAM MIXER Primary Examiner-Robert W. Jenkins [72] Paul sagmaw' Attorney-Griswold & Burdick and E. D. Ayers [73] Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company, Midland,

Mich. ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Dec. 2, 1970 The invention relates to a device for dispersing, dissolving and/or mixing viscous materials which uses no power driven or pl 94,346 moving parts. The device comprises an in-line chamber having an entry and exit end. There is an axially disposed baffled viscous material nozzle near the input and whereby the il. ..259/4 viscous material entering the chamber from said nozzle is sheared by solvent flow through the chamber. Baffle plates ar- [58] Field of Search ..259/4, 18, 36, 137/3, 9 rayed across the exit end result in turbulent flow and further mixing before the materials leave through the exit end. [5 6] References Cited As the viscous material is pumped against an adjustable dished UNITED STATES PATENTS heat it emerges as a thin sheet which is sheared by the flow of solvents which flows through the sheet. Mixing is aided by turb lent ne in e de ice p u perfo e b fil plates in the 2,690,329 9/ 1954 Gressly ....259/4 flow path through the device 2,815,532 12/1957 Braunlich ....259/4 3,188,055 6/1965 Lutjens ..259/4 7 Claims, 3 Drawing figures Pa tented July 18, 1972 INVENTOR. Pau/ H0f905/i BY HGENT FEEDER STREAM MIXER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to mixing devices and particularly to devices for mixing viscous materials and a less viscous solvent.

Mixing devices which depend on motor driven stirrer vanes/or other power driven mechanisms are limited not only by the availability of power to operate them, but by the reliability of bearings which often are adversely affected by the viscous materials.

Other mixing devices are easily clogged up or are difficult to disassemble and clean during field use.

Accordingly, a principal object of this invention is to provide an improved device for mixing viscous materials with a solvent.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved, easy to assemble device for mixing viscous materials.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved device having no moving parts for use in mixing viscous materials.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a mixing device wherein the solvent is flowed through the space between a generally tubular injection nozzle and a spaced apart surrounding wall. The nozzle has an adjustable dished element across its output end whereby the viscous material contacts the solvent in more or less sheetlike form and is sheared by the flow of the solvent. The materials then pass through a chamber having a series of baffle plates wherein they undergo turbulent flow and further mixing before exiting therefrom.

The invention, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, in section, of apparatus in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is an output end view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is an end view of the output end part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown mixing apparatus, generally referred to by the numeral 10, composed of a solid cylindrical body part 12 having an axially disposed tubular input part 42 on one side thereof. A solvent input line has its threaded end 14 coupled to the inner surface of the part 42.

A bore 16 extends axially through the body part 12 and has a tapered end part 18 communicating with the threaded end part 14 of the input line.

A viscous materials input head, indicated generally by the numeral 26, having a rounded tapered input end 30 and an open output end having an inwardly tapered part between its inner and outer surfaces of its tubular walled part 28. The input head is centered in the bore 16 by opposed positioning and guide elements 40 which slidably engage the inner wall of the bore 16.

The output end of the input head extends beyond the body part 12 into a mixing chamber defined by an axially disposed tubular element 46 which is capped by an end plate 48.

The tubular element 46 is sealed against a recess 44 in the body part 12 and against a similar recess in the end plate 48. Bolts 54, extending through bores 56, 58 in the end plate 48 and body part 12, respectively.

The end plate 48 has an axially aligned output bore 51 extending therethrough which is coupled to the threaded end 50 of an output tube 52.

An array of baffle plates 61, 66, 68 are disposed in the mixing chamber perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the chamber and surrounding the output bore 51 and are held in position by spacer sleeves along the screws 60, 62 which engage the end cap 48. The battle plates61, 68 each have an array of small bores 70, 74, respectively, therein, while the plate 66, which generally extends to the inner wall of the tubular element 46, has an axially disposed larger bore 72 therein.

Returning to the input head 26, a screw 34, supporting a dished plate 36 having a concave surface facing the tapered end part 18, is coupled to the tapered end part 28 such that the rim 38 of the dished part is held in (usually adjustable) symmetrical spaced apart relationship with respect to the tapered end 28.

The body part 12 has a bore 20 extending from its side surface to the axial bore 16.

A bore 41, extending through the upper one of the guide elements 40, is aligned with the bore 20. A viscous materials inlet tube 22 in the bore 20 is coupled at its lower part to the input head 26 through the bore 41 and at its upper end part to the coupling 24 of a viscous materials inlet line.

In operation, a solvent, such as water, for example, is pumped through the inlet line 15 and passes around the outer surface of the input head 26 (except where it encounters spacers 40). Viscous material, such as liquid polyacrylamide, for example, enters the input head 26 under pressure through the line 22 and is exuded in more or less sheet form from the dished output end of the head 28 where the viscous material is sheared into fragments which undergo turbulent mixing with the solvent in the mixing chamber 55.

Additional and more thorough mixing takes place as the viscous material and solvent take tortuous paths through the baffle plates 61, 66, 68 to reach the output line 52.

The spacing between the dished element 36 and the tapered end 28 of the head 26 is usually critical for a particular viscous material.

The head 26 may be withdrawn from the body part 12 by removing the'tube 24 from the bore 41. While two longitudinally extending sleeves are shown, more sleeves or other spacer support means which accommodate the tube 28 may be used.

It is understood that the flow rate of solvent and viscous material are adjusted to provide the best mixing through the unit.

The apparatus may be made of any suitable material which can withstand the temperatures, pressures and materials involved.

This apparatus, using no moving parts, provides excellent mixing of a variety of types of viscous materials with a less viscous solvent and is easily assembled and disassembled for cleaning or adjustment purposes.

In the case where the mixer device is to be used with only one viscous material under constant use conditions, the spacing between the dished element 36 and the tapered end 28 of the head 26 may be non-adjustable by means of a sleeve around the screw 34 or by the screw seating against the ends of its threaded bore in the input end 30.

What is claimed is:

I. Mixing apparatus comprising a blocklike cylindrical body part having a central bore extending axially therethrough and a viscous materials feed bore extending transversely from an outer surface of said body part to said central bore, a hollow tubular element substantially larger in diameter than the diameter of said central bore, an end cap having an axial bore, said tubular element being axially aligned with said central bore with said end cap sealing one end thereof and the other end of said tubular element being sealed against an end of said body member to thereby define a chamber within said tubular element, said end cap having mixed materials outlet bore therein, a viscous materials introduction member, said introduction member being disposed in said central bore, said introduction member having a hollow tubular body, a closed end having a tapered outer surface, an open end, centralizing spacer elements extending from said tubular body and slidably engaging the wall of said central bore, a viscous materials inlet bore extending transversely through said tubular body, and a dished element fixedly coupled to said body and presenting a concave surface adjacent to said open end, means coupling said viscous materials feed bore to said viscous materials inlet bore, means for coupling a solvent inlet line to said central bore on the end thereof remote from said chamber, means for coupling a mixed materials outlet line to said axial bore in said end cap, and an array of baffle plates disposed in the flow path of materials which are being mixed in said chamber.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means coupling said viscous materials feed bore to said viscous materials inlet bore comprises an inlet tube extending through said bores and coupled to said introduction member.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said array of baffle plates is coupled to and supported from said end cap.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the open end of said introduction member has its outer wall surface tapered inwardly towards said end.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said viscous materials feed bore and said viscous materials inlet bore are aligned and are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said body part.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said array of bafile plates includes at least three plates including at least one intermediate plate which fits closely but slidably with respect to the inner wall of said tubular element.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein bolts extending from said body part to said end cap are used to seal said tubular element to said body part and said end cap. 

1. Mixing apparatus comprising a blocklike cylindrical body part having a central bore extending axially therethrough and a viscous materials feed bore extending transversely from an outer surface of said body part to said central bore, a hollow tubular element substantially larger in diameter than the diameter of said central bore, an end cap having an axial bore, said tubular element being axially aligned with said central bore with said end cap sealing one end thereof and the other end of said tubular element being sealed against an end of said body member to thereby define a chamber within said tubular element, said end cap having mixed materials outlet bore therein, a viscous materials introduction member, said introduction member being disposed in said central bore, said introduction member having a hollow tubular body, a closed end having a tapered outer surface, an open end, centralizing spacer elements extending from said tubular body and slidably engaging the wall of said central bore, a viscous materials inlet bore extending transversely through said tubular body, and a dished element fixedly coupled to said body and presenting a concave surface adjacent to said open end, means coupling said viscous materials feed bore to said viscous materials inlet bore, means for coupling a solvent inlet line to said central bore on the end thereof remote from said chamber, means for coupling a mixed materials outlet line to said axial bore in said end cap, and an array of baffle plates disposed in the flow path of materials which are being mixed in said chamber.
 2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means coupling said viscous materials feed bore to said viscous materials inlet bore comprises an inlet tube extending through said bores and coupled to said introduction member.
 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said array of baffle plates is coupled to and supported from said end cap.
 4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the open end of said introduction member has its outer wall surface tapered inwardly towards said end.
 5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said viscous materials feed bore and said viscous materials inlet bore are aligned and are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said body part.
 6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said array of baffle plates includes at least three plates including at least one intermediate plate which fits closely but slidably with respect to the inner wall of said tubular element.
 7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein bolts extending from said body part to said end cap are used to seal said tubular element to said body part and said end cap. 